Order Sons of Italy in America, Alabama Grand Lodge records
Abstract
Records (1923-1987) of the Alabama Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America, include a Supreme Convention book (1957); a "Demand for Dispensation" for a local lodge (1945); Grand Lodge Columbus Day booklets (1950, 1958, 1964-1972), and a list of Grand Lodge officers (1987). Also included are a receipt book of Bessemer (Alabama) Lodge No. 1497 (1963-1975), and a book listing members and dues payments, probably of the Bessemer Lodge (1927-1966). Collection also includes a booklet of the statutes and regulations of the Societa Italiana Femminile Corona Regina Elena (Bessemer, AL), 1923; and photocopies of the SIlver Anniversary booklet of the Italian Society of U.S. P. P. (Umberto di Savoia Principle di Piemonte, 1929). Some photographs are also included.
Dates
- Creation: 1923-1987
Creator
- Order Sons of Italy in America. Alabama Grand Lodge. (Organization)
Language of Materials
English and Italian
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
The Alabama Grand Lodge was the 18th state lodge founded by OSIA. The first local lodge in Alabama, the Figli d'Italia #1432 was organized in 1927. The Grand Lodge was organized in 1930 in Birmingham. Eventually eight local lodges were created, most in the Birmingham-Bessemer area. The first Grand Venerable was Jasper Lanza.
Extent
7 linear inches
Arrangement
The original arrangement of the files at the time of their transfer to the IHRC has been largely maintained. Series categories were artifically established in processing the material but drew heavily upon pre-existing groupings.
The collection is organized into 5 series as follows: 1) National; 2) State; 3) Local; 40 Non-OSIA Groups and Activities; 5) Oversize Box. The collection spans the years 1923-1987. The majority of the material is in English, with a few items in Italian.
The papers include Grand Lodge Columbus Day celebration programs (1950, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972), a list of grand Lodge officers (1930-1987), a booklet of the statues and regulations of the Societa Italiana Femminile Corona regina Elena (Bessemer, AL; 1923), photocopies of the Silver Anniversary booklet of the Italian Society of Umberto di Savoia Principe di Piemonte 91929), photographs, newsclippings and a short essay on the origins of Italian settlement in Alabama and the formation of OSIA lodges.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was aquired from Rosina Giardnia and Joseph Musso in 1987 by john Andreozzi, Sons of Italy Archives Project Coordinator.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Jennifer Guglielmo, Italian American Studies Research Assistant at the IHRC in February 1997. IHRC Curator, Joel Wurl directed the project.
- Title
- Inventory of the Order Sons of Italy in America, Alabama Grand Lodge records.
- Author
- IHRC Archives
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding Aid in English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Immigration History Research Center Archives Collecting Area
